This Easy Lemon Basil Chicken Salad is a fresh and flavorful dish perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. Made with shredded chicken, crisp veggies, and a zesty lemon basil dressing, it’s creamy and refreshing. Serve it on crackers or as a sandwich for a satisfying meal.
Total Time:15 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Ingredients
Salad
2 cups shredded chicken (store bought or homemade)
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
1-2 celery stalks, finely diced
Dressing
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 cup fresh basil, chopped
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp lemon zest
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Prep the salad. Add the shredded chicken, finely diced red onion, and celery to a large bowl, then set it aside.
Make the dressing. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, chopped fresh basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Toss. Pour the dressing over the chicken and vegetables, then mix thoroughly until everything is fully coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
Serve. Serve the chicken salad immediately with your favorite crackers or use it as a sandwich filling with your preferred bread. Alternatively, keep the salad chilled in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Notes
Use store-bought shredded rotisserie chicken for quick preparation or homemade shredded chicken for a fresher taste.
Adjust the amount of lemon juice and zest to your preference for brightness.
Swap Greek yogurt for sour cream if desired, though this changes the texture slightly.
For a lighter option, reduce the mayonnaise quantity or substitute with extra Greek yogurt.
Add chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts for extra crunch and protein.
Keep the salad refrigerated and consume within 3 days for best freshness.
